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Mahershala Ali Says That Blade Is 'Getting Close' To Production

Mahershala Ali Says That Blade Is 'Getting Close' To Production

The 47-year-old actor was speaking about his upcoming MCU debut

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Mahershala Ali has revealed that upcoming film Blade is getting closer to production.

The 47-year-old actor explained how things are going with the Marvel reboot in which he's set to play the starring role.

Mahershala Ali.
The Photo Access/Alamy Stock Photo

Speaking to Empire recently, the actor revealed how it has been portraying the titular character for the first time, saying: "It was really cool, getting to do that.

"It was scary. Because, you know, you're talking before you're filming it. I'm pretty particular about my choices, like most actors, and so having to make some choices - even with a line, vocally - this early on, it brought up some very real anxieties. And it made the job real. It's like, 'Okay, this is happening now', you know, and that's exciting."

Despite getting into the voice booth, Ali is yet to don the leather jacket or signature sunnies.

Speaking about production and when that will begin, he added: "We're getting there, we're getting close."

It seems his MCU debut is only making him eager for more, as he said: "That Marvel world is obviously the biggest in film, and just to get my little introduction to that - starting with the Comic Con a couple years ago, and now the very early stages of stepping into the shoes of that character - it felt special and really cool. I'm excited to get going and do more."

Tsuni/USA/Alamy Stock Photo

The original Blade film was a massive hit for Marvel way back in 1998 and saw Wesley Snipes slip into the long black coat to play the vampire hunter.

Snipes then returned to the fold for Blade II in 2002 and for Blade: Trinity in 2004. This would never have been possible had Marvel not spent big to reacquire the rights to the series - as well as The Punisher and Ghost Rider - back in 2013.

As well as the exciting announcement of Blade, Marvel also confirmed that Natalie Portman is to take up Thor's famous hammer Mjolnir for the fourth film of the Thor saga, which is to be entitled Thor: Love and Thunder.

Marvel has announced every film and TV series in the pipeline for Phase 4.
PA

Portman will wield the hammer as Lady Thor alongside returning actors Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson.

Director Taika Waititi will be at the helm to direct as well as write the next instalment, which is part of phase four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Featured Image Credit: Barry King/Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film